5 Bowlers Who Could Spice Up England's Pace Attack

A superb final-day performance from James Anderson inspired England to a famous victory over the West Indies in Grenada last week. Until the Lancastrian's heroics, it looked like another slow, flat pitch would be the winner.

The tourists couldn't quite get over the line on a similarly turgid surface in Antigua a week earlier, prompting questions about the make-up of the pace attack. Was a somewhat vanilla, medium-fast bowling lineup going to be good enough to dismiss sides on flat pitches?

Given England's ridiculously hectic international schedule this year, wear and tear will be inevitable. It's unlikely that Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes and Chris Jordan will all survive 2015 without suffering the vagaries of form and fitness.

Which bowlers are knocking on the door of the England side? Here are five that could spice things up at some stage this season.

2015 record: 13 wickets @ 15.07

With Steve Finn still out of sorts, the England management's quest for a giant paceman who can top 90 mph on the speed gun and find disconcerting bounce continues.

Bowling as well as he has in his career, Boyd Rankin fits the bill. The Irishman has improved his best bowling figures in his two most recent outings taking six for 75 against Hampshire then six for 55 against Yorkshire.

Despite his fine form, the 30-year-old seems to be out of the international reckoning. He was omitted from the England ODI team that will face Ireland in Malahide next month.

Chances of an England call: 3/10

2015 record: 20 wickets @ 18.25

Ajmal Shahzad's pace and hooping swing earned him a Test debut against Bangladesh in 2010. Despite picking up four wickets, it remains his only Test cap.

The Yorkshireman performed well in first-class matches on England's all-conquering 2010/11 Ashes tour without making the Test XI, but things soon went downhill.

After falling out of favour at Headingley, Shahzad tried his luck with Nottinghamshire and Lancashire to little effect.

A move to Sussex appears to have invigorated the 29-year-old. The big swing has returned, and he's back in the wickets. With 20 victims in his first three outings at an average of just 18.25, he is Division One's leading bowler.

Chances of an England call: 5/10

2015 record: 12 wickets @ 23.50

With Mitchell Starc, Wahab Riaz and Trent Boult dominating the recent World Cup, left-arm seamers are definitely in vogue.

England have lacked an international-class left-arm quick since Ryan Sidebottom. The Harry Gurney experiment failed, but there are a couple of potential candidates staking strong claims.

Mark Footitt is one of them. The Derbyshire quickie was the leading wicket-taker in Division Two of the County Championship in 2014 with 82 wickets at an average of 19.12.

He's started this season in similar mood, picking up 12 wickets in his first two outings of 2015.

Chances of an England call: 6/10

2015 record: Three wickets @ 45.00

Like Ajmal Shahzad, Tymal Mills is hoping that the sea air of Sussex will resurrect what has been a stuttering career.

Boasting genuine pace, the 22-year-old's career has been beset by injuries and a lack of opportunities. The injury jinx struck again in Sussex's win over Worcestershire last week.

When fit and firing, Mills has the ability to give top-quality batsmen the hurry up. If he can stay healthy, it would be no surprise if the England selectors come calling.

Chances of an England call: 6/10

Yet to play in this year's County Championship

A member of the current England squad touring the West Indies, Mark Wood appears to be the proverbial “next cab off the rank.”

Capable of bowling quickly, the Durham paceman's main asset is his reverse swing.

England have waited 10 years for someone capable of bowling in the style of Simon Jones. Could Mark Wood be that man?

Chances of an England call: 8/10